Java Sun SPOT Application Development using Java ME (J2ME)

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Meeting the Java Sun SPOTs

It was with mounting anticipation that I opened the package containing the Sun SPOT development kit that we had ordered from Project Sun SPOT at Sun Microsystems. I had been waiting expectantly for it since a week ago and I could not wait to start fiddling around with these newest members to the Java ME family - call me a geek, or simply a normal guy, the type who likes his gadgets, but I tore away at the package wrapping as if in a frenzy and as if my life depended on it.

The kit package itself was very professional looking and beautifully presented. I liked the open palms cupping the sunflare, as we had used a similar concept in our Biodiesel website to show the human touch inherent in all these activities. IT computing by definition is a somewhat "cold" endeavor, and these little human touches go a long way in presenting the technology at a more emotional level. Kudos to the Sun SPOT marketing team!

The box unfolded like some origami contraption, and inside lay the two Sun SPOT sensors with the base station nestled cozily between them. Another nice touch to the packaging was the very readable (and nicely illustrated!) installation instructions that were printed on the overflap of the box, above the trio of Sun SPOT devices. Some big commercial outfits could certainly learn a thing or two about user documentation from this research group.

The devices themselves were remarkably small, although somewhat thicker than I anticipated. The box illustrations showed the length at about 71 mm, with a width of 42 mm and a thickness of approximately 18 mm. As you can see from the image below, the Sun SPOTs compared favorably well in overall size with an American Express Blue smartcard.

The rest of the peripheral equipment and hardcopy documentation and licenses were ingeniously slotted into an inner flap within the main box. My only complaint with this is that it was somewhat difficult to replace the bulkier USB cable back into the package once I had taken it out. I contented myself in keeping it separate from the package later on.

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